Port Saint Lucie to Richmond Heights is 131.6 miles and takes about 2 hours 32 minutes via Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Florida, offering a straightforward path through the state. It's designed for efficiency, making it a solid choice if you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss. Expect a highway-focused journey with minimal detours, ideal for a quick trip or as part of a larger Florida exploration. The estimated fuel cost is around $21, so factor that into your budget.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
65.8 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
95.5 mi
1h 45m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
30 mi
34m
Southeast Airoso Boulevard
1.6 mi
2m
State Road 821 Access Road
1.4 mi
2m
Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Southwest 152nd Street
0.8 mi
1m
Buchanan Street
0.3 mi
1m
Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 95.5 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Port Saint Lucie, FL and Richmond Heights, FL.
1
Start on Southwest Carter Avenue
215 ft·11 sec·Southwest Carter Avenue
2
Turn right onto CR 615
1.6 mi·2 min·Southeast Airoso Boulevard
3
Turn right onto FL 716
0.8 mi·1 min·Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
4
Turn left onto Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike SouthUse the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
96 mi·1 hr 45 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
0.2 mi·20 sec·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, HomesteadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
30 mi·33 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward HomesteadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 18Toward SR 992: Southwest 117th Avenue, Southwest 152nd StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on State Road 821 Access Road
1.1 mi·1 min·State Road 821 Access Road
12
Keep slight left at fork onto State Road 821 Access Road
0.2 mi·28 sec·State Road 821 Access Road
13
Turn left onto SR 992
0.8 mi·1 min·Southwest 152nd Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Turn left onto Buchanan Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Buchanan Street
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto Southwest Graham Drive
127 ft·3 sec·Southwest Graham Drive
16
Arrive at destination
Southwest Graham Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 32 minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, so you can leave whenever suits your schedule. The longest stretch is 95.5 miles, so plan for your first significant break after that segment, likely near the end of the Florida's Turnpike portion. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, it’s a budget-friendly drive, but always keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway sections. For this route, a good tip is to ensure your navigation is set to avoid tolls if you're trying to save money, although the primary roads listed are toll roads. Make sure to check for any potential construction delays on Florida's Turnpike before you depart.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 65.8 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 29 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.8 miles or 1h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond Heights, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Port Saint Lucie, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Port Saint Lucie, FL
This is one driving day of about 131.6 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Florida's Turnpike for about 95.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 65.8 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 131.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.1 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
7
99.1 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, Homestead
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, Homestead
7
99.3 mi into trip|~1h 53m in|Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike toward Homestead
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Homestead
8
129.1 mi into trip|~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward SR 992: Southwest 117th Avenue, Southwest 152nd Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 18
Toward SR 992: Southwest 117th Avenue, Southwes...
6
131.3 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|Buchanan Street
Turn left onto Buchanan Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.95 one way
$41.89 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$22.79
$45.57
premium
$4.72
$24.47
$48.94
diesel
$5.61
$29.06
$58.11
Estimated Tolls: $8.48
Florida's Turnpike
(95.5 mi)$6.69
Homestead Extension
(30 mi)$1.79
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.5
0
$13.82
$6.32
Efficient EV
32.9
0
$11.51
$5.26
EV Truck/SUV
52.6
0
$18.42
$8.42
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Morning
in Port Saint Lucie on Sunday
Local time
8:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:40AM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:00AM EDT until April 17 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Richmond Heights, FL
Morning
in Richmond Heights on Sunday
Local time
8:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
14 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 32m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 95% of it utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on Florida's Turnpike and the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 95.5 miles, all on Florida's Turnpike, meaning you can settle in for a solid period of consistent driving. While it's a highway-centric experience, the final leg involves Southeast Airoso Boulevard, offering a slight change of pace as you approach your destination. Expect smooth, high-speed travel for the majority of this trip.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.5 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 131.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.1 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.3 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Port Saint Lucie, FL and Richmond Heights, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South and Homestead.
Florida's Turnpike Toll South
99.1 mi in|~1h 52m|via Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Homestead
99.1 mi in|~1h 52m|via Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 131.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95.5 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.48 in tolls one way, starting with Florida's Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Richmond Heights, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.1 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.3 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Richmond Heights, FL before heading back.
